Jeffery Lawrence Hayenga, 63

Jeffery Lawrence Hayenga was born March 13, 1951, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, as the oldest son of five children to Wallace and Marian Hayenga. Jeff was a graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School (1969), North Idaho College (1971), and the University of Idaho (1974).

Jeff married Patricia Edwards in 1976 and they were blessed with two children, Phillip and Kari, who are Jeff's proudest legacies. His family grew up in Washington, first in Prosser and then in Kennewick. He and Patricia have made a home most recently in Redmond. Jeff dearly loved his parents and four siblings. He was preceded in death by his father.

Jeff will be remembered for his patience, keen mind, and servant's heart. He worked for 20 years as a mechanical engineer on the Hanford reservation. In the community he was a member of the Tri-Cities and Redmond Rotary organizations. He served on the Voluntary Chore Service and Bike Program teams. While it was in Jeff's nature to serve, he was also a teacher at heart and he loved passing his skills onto willing students. As a result, he leaves behind very capable children, nieces, and nephews. Jeff joined the Catholic Church in 2012 and through this was blessed with dear friendships and a sense of peace.

Jeff's perpetual optimism carried he and his family through his heroic health battles with immense dignity. All who knew him were inspired by his will to live life to the fullest. Jeff's favorite pastime was sailing on his boat in Puget Sound and he loved getting away with his family in their RV. He was a woodworking craftsman like his father, and in the past several years found a talent for photography art.

Jeff peacefully slipped into heaven on Dec. 13, 2014, surrounded by his family. A Catholic Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sammamish, Wash., with a viewing at 11:30 a.m. A memorial service is planned for noon on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d'Alene.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity.

We are comforted by the memories of how he lived his life. He was an inspiration to all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Sail on Jeff!